At the outset of the Iraq war, the Bush administration estimated that it would cost roughly $50 to $60 billion to oust Saddam Hussein and set that nation on the road to democracy. Five years later, the price tag is $600 billion and counting. As the economy sours, it becomes clear that one overlooked casualty of this war will be America’s creaking infrastructure.

Free markets may be the only way to save the nation’s roads and highways. They might even be the best way to save them. The Department of Transportation, under this Administration, has made no secret of its desire to lease highways to private companies, to use tolls and congestion pricing, to auction off fast access to those willing to pay and to otherwise let free markets drive transportation. Under this view, breaking up the government monopoly on transportation could lead to innovation and more choices for the public. Let those who use a resource pay for it, without burdening everyone else with the costs. Let the pain of price ease gridlock. It will reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. Heck, it might even drive down your insurance premiums.

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WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Friday ruled out including Adm. William Fallon as a witness before Congress when the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Baghdad testify next month on the way ahead in Iraq.

Fallon’s abrupt announcement March 11 that he was resigning, effective March 31, as chief of U.S. Central Command overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan triggered accusations by Democrats in Congress that he was being forced out for publicly opposing launching a war against Iran.

In declaring that Fallon would not join Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker as witnesses before Congress next month, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the decision had nothing to do with Fallon’s views on Iran or the reasons for his unexpected resignation and retirement.

“I know there have been requests, in fact, from members of Congress to have Adm. Fallon testify with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, and I can tell you that Admiral Fallon will not be testifying” with them, Morrell told a Pentagon press conference.

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Rep. John Murtha has been granted an exemption from testifying in the
case of a Marine accused of crimes in the Iraqi town of Haditha.

Isn’t confronting your accuser one of the basic rights we’re fighting for? It is now evident that politicians, of any stripe, are – indeed – above the law and that military officials have taken a "hands off" approach when it comes to people like Murtha.

As our success in Iraq has caused it to fade as a campaign issue, so has the terrorist ambush of a Marine patrol in Haditha in November 2005 faded from public memory. But for the Marines charged with crimes in Haditha, it’s an ongoing nightmare.

After one of their comrades was killed by an IED, the Marines of Kilo Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, took small-arms fire from nearby houses. They returned fire and went house to house searching for their attackers.

For their efforts in responding to a terrorist ambush, four Marines were charged with murder of innocent civilians and engaging in a rampage of revenge for their fallen comrade.

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Sibel Edmonds, and if the U.S. government has its way, they never will.

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If you watch nothing more this election season, watch this video. It is approximately 14 minutes long. Click on the link below.